About Great Southern

Dramatic landscape, relaxed lifestyle and stunning coastline are just a few of the features that make Western Australia's Great Southern region so attractive to a growing number of residents and an even larger number of visitors and tourists.

Albany is the regional centre and boasts a rich history through its original inhabitants, the Menang Noogar people, a wave of European settlement in the early-mid 19th century, and the establishment of a major whaling operation.

These days whale-watching has replaced whale-chasing and Albany is a thriving regional city, port and tourist destination.

Smaller but equally inviting towns along the south coast and through the wheatbelt include Walpole, Denmark, Bremer Bay, Katanning and Wagin, while further inland the Porongorups and the Stirling Range rise up over the farmland and vineyards.

The area is becoming well-known for its wine production as well as a wide range of fresh food products — cheeses, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, many of them offered for sale at one of the popular local markets or boutique wineries and restaurants, which lend a pleasing degree of sophistication to the relaxed way of life enjoyed on the Great Southern.

About ABC Great Southern

ABC Great Southern broadcasts on 630AM and 558AM.

Programs focus on the issues, interests and concerns of the regional audience, with broad-ranging content, well-informed comment and plenty of opportunity for listeners to participate and express their opinions.

ABC Great Southern recognises the diversity and broad interests of regional listeners and aims to reflect that diversity in program content.

Topics covered range from arts, entertainment and culture through to the day's latest issues from the worlds of politics, technology, primary industry and the economy, as well as the essential information that is needed when the community faces emergencies such as bushfires.

Music and humour play an important part in making ABC Great Southern accessible and companionable, while being a distinctive voice in the regional community, engaging listeners through the relevance of the program content.

Great Southern team

Mark Bennett first picked up a news camera for the ABC in Albany in 1978. Since then he has worked as a cameraman, reporter, chief of staff and radio presenter. Mark is now based out of the Albany office where he shares his time as regional cross media reporter with work on the nearby family farm.